As a goalkeeper, saving for granted, you think you’ve seen it all. But a double save like that? That’s a different story. “It’s different, you know? When you score, it’s hard to compare because I never score!” the goalkeeper jokes. “If I score, it will be crazy. But I think it’s different because we as defenders, it’s a position of responsibility. You have to be prepared, make sure everyone is in the right place, and be focused on the team’s defense. There’s no time to celebrate, you have to keep going and be aware. But when you score, it’s a different feeling.”
As for standout saves, the goalkeeper prefers not to dwell on the past. “To be honest, when I look back, no one particular save stands out. But I think the best one is still yet to come. Let’s see until the end of the season how it will be.” With a new coach, Jelle ten Rouwelaar, on board this season, the goalkeeper has been working closely with him to hone his skills. “For a goalkeeper, it’s very important to have a strong and a very good relationship with his goalkeeper coach because you spend a lot of your time with him. We’ve discussed everything from build-up to saves, positioning, opponents, crosses, corners, and tactics.” The goalkeeper credits his current and former coaches, Jelle and Richard respectively, for their support and guidance, emphasizing that winning isn’t just about individual performance. “My colleagues and I work together every day, and I want to thank them for their help. And I wish my previous coach, Richard, all the best.”
